Author name: 24x7sportshub

Welcome back to The Hockey News Wraparound Show, where we break down a bunch of NHL and hockey topics into bite-sized topics. Here’s what Emma Lingan and Michael Traikos discussed in today’s episode: 0:00: Can the Edmonton Oilers stay afloat if McDavid’s injury is long-term? 3:10: Will Steven Stamkos go down as the best Tampa Bay Lightning player of all-time? 6:25: Where will the PWHL expand next season? 9:12: Which contract extension from the 2020 draft class will be the best? Alexis Lafreniere, Seth Jarvis or Lucas Raymond? 12:28: What will Matthew Knies’ extension look like with the Toronto Maple Leafs? 16:38: With Shea Theodore locked up in Vegas, how long will its competitive window stay open? 19:58: Will Claude Giroux be with the Ottawa Senators in April? 22:50: Have the Buffalo Sabres looked closer to being competitive after winning three of their last four games? 25:08: Which player without a goal this season has been more concerning? 27:17: Should the NHL consider increasing fines for players? 31:07: Should Kirby Dach continue to play as a center or left winger with the Montreal Canadiens? The Wraparound Show: Oct. 29, 2024 (34:27) (Don’t see the video? Click here.) See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes. Apple Podcasts Spotify Podbean iHeartRadio Amazon Promo image credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Related: The Hockey News Big Show: Are The Vancouver Canucks Using Pettersson The Right Way? Related: The Wraparound: Will Matvei Michkov Have A Better Rookie Season Than Connor Bedard?

Morgan Rielly John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images For his 12-year career, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has been a major part of his team’s blueprint for success.  The 30-year-old blueliner has been a minute-munching D-man with great instincts on offense, and he’s reached the 40-point plateau in five of his last seven seasons.  This year, things have changed for Rielly, but we’d argue they’ve changed for the better. After averaging 23:44 of ice time last season – and after averaging 22:12 over the course of his career – Rielly’s minutes are down this season under new Leafs coach Craig Berube.  Rielly averaged 21:28 in the first 10 games. In half of those games, he logged less than 21 minutes per night. That average is more than two minutes less per game than he averaged last season. Consequently, Rielly’s offensive totals are up and down. He has only two assists and is on pace for 41 points, which would tie his total from 2022-23, but it would also be significantly down from his 58-point total from 2023-24. That said, Rielly also has three goals this season – including one on Monday against Winnipeg – which is nearly half his seven goals in 72 games last year. If Rielly keeps it up, he will also have the highest expected goals share at 5-on-5 in his career, which shows he’s improving on the quality chances the Leafs produce versus allow while he’s on the ice.  Even though it’s early on in the season, Rielly’s expected goals share of 54.38 percent is the highest it’s been in the first 10 games of every season since his 55.01-percent share in 2016-17, per naturalstattrick.com.  With a deeper Leafs defense corps, Berube has been able to spread out minutes more evenly. From the eye test, Rielly looks fresher and more confident joining the rush and breaking into the offensive zone. Whether he’s been paired with veteran Chris Tanev or Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Rielly has thrived in many ways this season.  Rielly has been through it all in Leafs Land – from Toronto’s tanking days to its ‘Core Four’ evolution – and now, he’s more confident knowing he doesn’t have to do it all for the Buds to be successful. The Leafs would love to get a full 82-game season out of Rielly, but that hasn’t always been easy. He’s reached the 82-game mark only twice in the last six seasons. But Berube’s choice to limit Rielly’s minutes to start this season should allow him to be engaged, effective and slightly better rested.  Rielly is clearly benefitting from the Buds’ improved depth. That should keep him at his peak as the regular-season grind takes its toll on him and his teammates. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.

Sean Monahan holds Johnny Gaudreau’s child alongside Meredith Gaudreau and family as a banner is raised in honor of Johnny before the home opener at Nationwide Arena. Samantha Mada-Imagn Images It is difficult to talk about anything Sean Monahan has done so far this season without first mentioning Johnny Gaudreau. The longtime friends spent nine seasons together in Calgary. During that time, Monahan played his best hockey. They were best friends on and off the ice. With Gaudreau on his left wing, Monahan became a three-time 30-goal scorer. That chemistry is something that Monahan has been searching for ever since Gaudreau left to play for Columbus. So when Monahan became a free agent this summer, a large part of his choice to sign a five-year contract with the Blue Jackets was so that he could reunite with his longtime linemate and friend. Those plans took a tragic turn when Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed by an alleged drunk driver in August. But Gaudreau is not forgotten while Monahan leads the team in goal-scoring with five goals. Early feel-good story of the season. — Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) October 29, 2024 When Monahan scored on opening night — when Gaudreau’s No. 13 banner was raised to the rafters at Nationwide Arena — the 30-year-old center raised his glove high above his head in a nod to his fallen friend. Since then, Monahan’s looking like he’s on his way to a redemption season after bouncing back last year on the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets. SEAN MONAHAN SCORES! And he immediately points to the banner honoring Johnny Gaudreau. ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/ADQVSIXESp — NHL (@NHL) October 16, 2024 Monahan, who scored twice in Columbus’ 6-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night, now has nine points in eight games. It’s early, but Monahan looks like the Monahan who once scored 34 goals and 82 points while playing alongside Gaudreau, who had 36 goals and 99 points, in 2018-19.  Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets haven’t been the NHL’s worst team. As of Tuesday morning, they were tied for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. What a feel-good story this has been for Monahan — and the NHL, in general. Something is going on in Columbus. Something that can’t be explained by a new coach or the unexpected play of their prospects. You don’t have to be a fan of the Blue Jackets to want to root for them to have a great season. The same goes for Monahan, who could be an early favorite for the Bill Masterton Trophy that rewards “perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication.” Sean Monahan is absolutely lighting it up in Columbus and I hope it never ends — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 28, 2024 After all, who would have forgiven Monahan if he didn’t want to — or couldn’t — play the beginning of the season? Monahan had arranged to move into the same Columbus neighborhood as Gaudreau’s family. The plan was for them to share dressing room stalls. That’s heart-wrenching. “I am really looking forward to being teammates with Johnny again,” Monahan told NHLPA.com after signing with the Blue Jackets. “Johnny (who signed a seven-year, $68.25-million contract with Columbus as a free agent in 2022) is motivated to have a big season and be a huge part of the team, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to reignite the chemistry we had for close to a decade. He is an amazing teammate, person and friend. I’m looking forward to these next five years.” These next five years are not going to be easy for Monahan. The fact that he is not just playing but playing at a level we haven’t seen in a while is remarkable. A year ago, he combined for 26 goals and 59 points with Montreal and Winnipeg after seeing his previous two seasons shortened by injury. Nearly four weeks into this season, he is now on pace for 51 goals and 92 points. But he’s not doing it alone.  Kirill Marchenko has four goals and 11 points, while Yegor Chinakhov has three goals and eight points. All in all, it is a welcome sight to see in what has been a difficult couple of months for the team and the hockey world. Johnny Gaudreau is definitely smiling from ear to ear watching Monahan and the Jackets dominate the Oilers — Jacques Sampson (@jacques_sampson) October 29, 2024

Andrei Svechnikov, Jack Roslovic and Brent Burns Bob Frid-Imagn Images For the last couple of years, the Carolina Hurricanes have been a popular pick for breaking through and winning a Stanley Cup.  But after their all-in push fell short last spring and the departures of Jake Guentzel, Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce, many prognosticators hopped off the ship they thought was sinking and moved on to what they think are greener pastures. Not so fast. On Monday night, the Hurricanes wrapped up a six-game road trip that somehow started in Pittsburgh and ended in Vancouver with a 4-3 overtime win over the Canucks. Winners of their last four, Carolina is now 6-2 for the year — sitting second only to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference, if you go by points percentage. Dig a little deeper, and the numbers get even more impressive. According to naturalstattrick.com, Carolina ranks first in the NHL at 5-on-5 in virtually every puck-possession category — and by a pretty wide margin. As one example, their expected goals share is a whopping 61.49 percent. Then, there’s a drop of nearly five percentage points to the second-place Washington Capitals, at 56.68 percent. Several other teams are close behind. In 2023-24, the Hurricanes finished second in the same category, at 57.02 percent. Is this year’s group actually, maybe, even…..better? One thing’s for sure: the team’s new additions are working out well. “When you lose as many guys we lost, it’s so important that the guys you bring in, fit,” said coach Rod Brind’Amour. “Which they do, but they also contribute.” Look down Monday’s box score — those contributions are everywhere.  You’ll start with free-agent addition William Carrier opening the scoring with his first as a Hurricane. It was a fourth-line goal assisted by 21-year-old rookie Jackson Blake, who was playing in his ninth NHL game, and fourth-year Hurricane Jack Drury. Another free-agent signing, 29-year-old Eric Robinson, lined up with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Martin Necas on Monday. Robinson has never had more than 27 points in an NHL season but picked up his fourth point as a Hurricane on Necas’ 2-1 goal late in the first period. Early in the second, Jack Roslovic extended the lead to 3-1 with his fourth of the year. Another inexpensive free-agent signing, he has slotted into a dream role, skating on the right wing with Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. A first-round pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 2015, Roslovic scored 22 goals for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22, his most productive season to date. He has four goals in his first eight games with the Hurricanes. After dominating the first 30 minutes on Monday night, Carolina might have extended its lead even further if not for the heroics of Vancouver’s new netminder, Kevin Lankinen. He earned third-star honors off yet another impressive performance. “It’s, kind of, highlight-reel saves,” Brind’Amour said. “It wasn’t like there was an abundance of them. But, on the 5-on-3, there was one. Shorthanded, there was one. He definitely had a heck of a game on the other end.” On Carolina’s blueline, new arrivals Shayne Gostisbehere and Sean Walker have formed a duo controlling a walloping 78.73 percent of expected goals at 5-on-5. That’s tops among Carolina’s three primary pairings and comes at a bargain cap hit of a combined $6.8 million for both of them, from the free-agent market where NHL teams will often overspend to reel in their top targets. After moving to the Colorado Avalanche at the 2024 trade deadline, Walker went into July 1 with more buzz. But Gostisbehere appears to have rediscovered the mojo that made him a Calder Trophy runner-up when he broke into the league back in 2015-16.  That’s a big help on a Carolina team that has seen its playoff dreams snuffed out when its scoring dries up. Running the Hurricanes’ star-studded first power play, three of Gostisbehere’s four goals in the early going have come with the man advantage. And two of his three assists have been timely dishes to set up Aho for overtime-winners. With so many new faces in the mix, a long road trip early in the season can be a great tool to forge bonds and bring players together. “It’s been good to spend some time with the boys,” Aho said. “Especially the new guys, because it takes a little while to get fully comfortable. We already knew that everyone were good personalities to bring in the locker room. And obviously, winning helps to to have a good mood.” If the new-look Hurricanes are already clicking this well, opponents should be wary of what lies ahead when this team reaches its full stride.  Carolina will open a four-game homestand against the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.

Kashawn Aitcheso Photo courtesy of the Barrie Colts For those hockey fans out there who miss the old-school game, fear not: Kashawn Aitcheson is here to finish every check and make opponents think twice before they get within two time zones of his goaltender.  The Barrie Colts defenseman is a 2025 NHL draft prospect who looks like an easy first-rounder thanks to his combination of physicality, mobility and a two-way game that so far this season has included seven points through 10 games. “I’ve felt good,” Aitcheson said about this season. “We have a great team here, the guys are gelling really well and it’s just fun to come to the rink every day and play beside each and every one of them.” Aitcheson can play in all situations (two of his three goals so far have come on the power play), and at 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, he has a sturdy, NHL-style frame to keep building on. The upside he’s shown also earned him a roster spot for the upcoming CHL-NTDP series, where an all-star slate of draft-eligibles from major junior will take on their peers from the NTDP’s under-18 squad. “It’s super-exciting,” Aitcheson said. “It’s going to be an unreal experience, and I’m honestly just honored to be invited.” The series, which will take place in London and Oshawa in late November, is a fascinating concept, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. On paper, the CHL has a lot more high-end talent (potentially three of the draft’s top 10 picks in Porter Martone, Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa), but the NTDP kids have played together since the beginning of last season, so their chemistry could be a factor. And how physical will the game be? The old CHL Top Prospects Game pretty much always featured at least one fight, but the NTDP kids wear full cages. “I just know what I’m going to bring: Physicality, meanness, toughness and a good two-way game,” Aitcheson said. “I’m not thinking too much about them, I’m going there to focus in, and do what I do.” Related: 2025 NHL Draft: Biggest Standouts In Central Scouting’s Watch List The last time Aitcheson faced an all-American team was at the 2024 World Under-18s, when he and the Canadians snatched the gold medal from Team USA in a thrilling 6-4 comeback championship game. “Bringing home the gold was unbelievable,” he said. “Everyone wants to be a winner and when you do things like that, you build a lot of character. You learn a lot of lessons and it was huge for me.” A big fan of Boston Bruins blueliner Charlie McAvoy, Aitcheson wants to play a similar two-way game. He prides himself on his shutdown abilities while still working to improve on them, and he’s also continuing to hone his puck skills on the offensive side of things. One thing Aitcheson is known for already is his fighting acumen. He has a running war with Brampton’s Martone, and last year, Aitcheson fought 6-foot-7 New York Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck during a playoff series against Oshawa. Playing in Barrie, Aitcheson gave the crowd a ‘title belt’ motion after the tilt, much to the delight of Colts fans. “I don’t think I’m really intimidated by anyone,” he said. “I have a chip on my shoulder, and I feel I have something to prove every night. I’m not going to shy away from anything, no matter how big or small. I’m going to go at you head-on.” That attitude helps explain why NHL scouts are lining up to watch Aitcheson this year. Related: 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Will There Be A Race For First Overall? Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.